An author packed their bag with signed, numbered copies of their novel and toured the UK, leaving free books at train stations, pubs and bookshops - and it got exciting
Access to books is crucial, particularly during the National Year of Reading. That's why free little libraries and reading corners have sprung up across the nation.
The concept typically involves taking a book and leaving another in its place — though some people simply donate books they've finished reading as an alternative to dropping them at a charity shop. Many people can't afford to splash out £25 on a new release hardback, but if you're able to and fancy giving something back to your community, you can simply leave them there.
However, when one writer set out to deposit books at railway stations throughout the UK, they had something entirely different in mind. They filled their suitcase with copies of their own novel to leave at "train stations around the UK," and documented the steps they followed to make this venture a success — and successful it proved to be, as they later spotted someone actually reading it.
They began their post on Reddit's UK Books thread by writing: "Loaded my carry-on bag up with books and headed off to the UK for a little vacation. Signed and numbered my books and dispersed them randomly. Here is a summary...
" They revealed that their day began by gifting a woman at a Scottish train station a copy of their book, before leaving further copies on a hotel bookshelf in Inverness. The author then handed another copy to a cab driver in London, noting they'd have struggled to distribute books at King's Cross Station that day, as Arsenal were playing and the crowds would have made it near impossible to navigate.
The journey continued through Canterbury, with books left in pubs, bookshops and train stations along the way. The author also presented a copy to a tour guide at the Giant's Causeway. They wrote: "Which led to the first time for me watching somebody read my book. On an Ireland tour on a bus.
Sitting in the front row and tour guide is sitting below me, reading the book. Proud, kind of scary. He's witnessing the journey I wrote in real time, in front of me.
" Pressing on with their travels and continuing to hand out copies, they said: "Although I never did just leave a book on a bench, the copies that I did manage to leave found their way into the right people at the right time. "Looks like I delivered 16 books altogether. Not a huge number, but maybe one or two of those books will find their calling.
" In the comments section, one user wrote: "F****** love this - reminds me of when the book crossing was a thing. Used to work in hospitality, and we used to put our favs on the shelf with stickers and then track where they ended up and what people thought. Well done on getting published!
" Another added: "Thank you for your actions. I hope it gives some folk pleasure " The post even sparked fresh interest in the author's work, with one reader expressing their desire to purchase "a signed edition" of the book, citing their passion for collecting signed and first editions. Would you read a book someone gave to you out of the blue? Let us know in the comments...
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